The University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Thursday conferred a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in French on 78-year-old Dr. Hammid Taju, making him the oldest graduating student at this year’s convocation. The announcement was made by UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, during the university’s 56th Convocation Ceremonies.
Prof. Ogunsola highlighted other notable graduands, including Oba Sulaimon Bangbande, the Olofin of Isheri, who received a Master of Science (M.Sc) in System Engineering. She added that students from the School of Postgraduate Studies and University of Lagos Business School (ULBS) would also be admitted to their degrees, with a total of 5,775 students graduating.
Specifically, 479 students completed postgraduate diploma (PGD) programmes, with 41 earning distinctions. In the Master’s programmes, 5,184 students graduated, 429 with distinctions, while 112 ULBS students graduated, 32 of whom earned distinctions.
The ceremony also recognized academic excellence and contributions to scholarship. Two retired academics, Prof. James Olowokudejo (Department of Botany) and Prof. Duro Oni (Department of Theatre Arts), were honored as Emeritus Professors. Prof. Akinsanya Osibogun was conferred with the title of Distinguished Professor, and Prof. Ayoka Olusakin received a gold medal in Counselling Psychology.
The overall best PGD student, who also had the best PhD thesis in sciences, was Mr. Haruna Abubakar, earning a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering (Structural Option).
Prof. Ogunsola thanked the UNILAG Senate, staff, alumni, partners, and stakeholders for their continued support and commitment to the institution’s growth and excellence.